Card table



Nov. 24, 1942. QVERBIEY 2,303,228

CARD TABLE Filed Oct. 21, 1940 37" fzderafif'? m 52 01 9216 Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE- CARD TABLE Floyd M. Overbey, Joliet, Ill. Application October 21, 1940, Serial No. 362,138

8 Claims.

My invention relates to folding tables, and more particularly to the type known as card tables and in which the legs are connected for joint folding and unfolding actions, and one of my objects is to include a control for the folding action which is accessible from all sides of the table.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding arrangement for the legs which has no connection with or support from the table top, employing the frame of the table for this purpose.

Another object of theinvention is to design a folding table of the character specified in which the mechanism is firmly supported and which allows the legs to adapt themselves to inequalities of the floor or other surface on which the table is placed. 7

An additional object of the invention is to provide means to ease the action of the mechanism and automatically take up wear therein.

An important object of the invention is to construct the novel table along sturdy lines and in a manner to be firm period of use. l

With the above objects in view and any others which may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of the table, showing its legs folded;

Fig. 2 is an enlargement of one corner ofthe showing in Fig. 1;

I Figs. 3 and 4 are, respectively, sections on the lines 33 and 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a fastening unit.

I am aware of the fact that folding card tables exist or have been patented in which the legs are foldable or adapted to be opened out by joint action, a master leg or control being manipulated to permit the folding action. A patent showing such a table was issued to George F. Willett on January 8, 1929, under Number 1,698,420. However, the structure in this patent, as well as any others which have come to my attention require the concentration of the attendant to a particular spot or corner of the table for the exercise of the control, this involving special attention or effort. It has therefore been my intention to provide a table which may be controlled by approaching any of its sides and by a very simple action.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawing indicates the quadrilateral and durable over a long.

may be simply of wood, or reinforced by a metallic jacket II, as indicated in Fig. 3. A top l2 of cardboard, fibre or other suitable material is firmlysecured to make a flush and smooth joint with the frame I0.

The legs l3 of the table are pivoted in the corners of the frame as indicated at M and braced by brackets l5, so that each leg may fold within the adjacent side of the frame ID, as shown. Of

course any suitable method of pivoting the legs may be employed, as long as they are foldable to the positions indicated when the table is to be closed. 1

Various means have been employed to connect the legs as herein constituted for joint folding and unfolding actions, and one such way is to employ a horizontalband l6 underneath the table top [2 and to connect arms I! pivoted from the respective legs as indicated at Ila to points along the band, the free ends of the arms being pivoted at such points on rivets [8. Thus, with the band It slidable in suitable bearing, it is possible by unfolding any one of the legs l3 to cause the simultaneous unfolding of the other legs, so that the table is quickly set up. Conversely, the closing of one leg procures the similar movements of the other legs, so that the table is quickly folded.

It is essential in a structure constituted as just described to lock the legs in the open position, so

that jars or other movements suffered by the table will not cause the deflection or collaps of any of its legs. Also, it is desirable that the locking feature be accessible and easily operated. Thus, instead of obliging any one to look for the control or attain skill to operate the same, I have provided in the-present embodiment means which can-be easily reached by any of the table occupants and as easily actuated in order to release the legs for the folding movement.

Inorder to firmly dispose the slidable band It, which is preferably of sturdy band or strap metal, I provide diagonal supports IS in the corners of ey frame'lll, these being of heavy sheet metal and lying next underneath the table top I 2 to aid in supporting the same. The supports [9 are formed. withdown flanges 20 which lie against the correspondingly-located sides of the frame l 0 and are riveted thereto as indicated at 2|. The supports are extended inwardly with branches 22 which have dual down-bends 23. These are formed with vertical slots 24 through which the band I6 is passed, the slots being of hour-glass shape in order to both provide medial bearings frame'of a typical card table at. This frame for the sliding of the band, yet permit torsional deviation thereof without binding, in case the band suffers any distorsion or becomes uneven at some points in its course.

The supports l9 also serve as side reinforcements for the legs I3 when they undergo their opening or closing movements. Thus, diagonal brackets are secured with one of their ends to the pivots i8 as shown at 26, and with the other of their ends to wings 21 of the supports I9 by means of rivets 28. The attachment of the brackets is free in order to enable them to swing with the legs, yet form side props or braces to check laterally-departing or wobbling tendencies on the part of the legs.

One of the supports It) carries a unit for locking the movement of the band I6 when the legs I3 have been opened to the proper extent. Thus, a short branch 29 extends inwardly from the support and takes a short downward bend 30 to which is riveted at 3| a blade 32 extending along the inner side of the band and terminating at one end with abend 33, such end corresponding to the advancing direction of the band as the legs are unfolded. The band carries a clamp 34 terminating with an inward hook 35. When the legs 13' are unfolded, the advance of the band I 5 carries the hook 35 into wiping and urging engagement with the'blade 32, the latter yielding slightly by inherent tension. When the proper positions of the legs is attained, the hook 35 is calculated to trip the bend 33 of the blade and become locked against retraction. Therefore, the legs cannot return or collapse; and their outward movements are usually checked by the frame [0 or a block therein forming a suitable limit or stop for the unfolding of the legs.

In order that the band it may be unlocked for the folding or collapsing movement of the legs l3, a simple expedient is employed to release the hook 35. from the impediment formed by the blade 32. Thus, the down-bends 23 of the supports l9 are extended inwardly to permit the formation of narrow vertical slots 36 in spaced relation to the slots 34,"a continuous ribbon 3'! of strip metal or other substantial and flexible material being slidably passed through the group of slots 36. The ribbon also passes through a strap 38 carried on the inner side of. the blade 32, taking an outward deflection from its normal course in order to do so. However, the deflected portion of the ribbon can be drawn taut or straightened by an outward pull on any other spanning section of the ribbon, this action draw-. ing inwardly on the blade 32 and releasing the hook 35 of the band I6. When this has been done, any leg of the table may be actuated to fold all the legs thereof. With controllable-sections of the ribbon-31 at all sides of the table and in most of the corners thereof, it is an easy matter for one to reach under the table at any convenient side thereof and. draw outwardly on the corresponding portion of the ribbon with one hand to the extent of releasing the look, while the other hand urges the most convenientlylocated leg 13 in the folding direction.

While the supports I!) serve as rests for the corner portion of the table top l2, they also serve for the attachment of central supporting means for such top. Thus, a spider of sheet metal arms 39 is centered under the table top and spotwelded with its ends to internal wings 40 or. the supports 19. The arms 39 are shownplain, but may be longitudinally corrugated or otherwise formed for stiffening or rein-forcing purposes. The spider 39 forms a support for a center plate 4| which is suitably secured over the spider and forms a rest for the central portion of the table top l2.

The joints of the leg arms I! with the rivets 18 are specially designed in order to combine a good flt with flexibility during the band actuating motions, as well as to take up wear after extended use. Thus, Fig. 5 shows more clearly that the rivet 18 carries a sleeve 42 which passes through a perforation in the arm H, the sleeve being flared as indicated at 43 in the direction of the band [6. An expansive spring 44 is mounted on the sleeve between the outer head of the rivet and the arm l1, having a tendency to urge the latter toward the flared portion of the sleeve. It is evident that the spring causes the arm to a be firmly carried by the sleeve while permitting free pivotal motion of the arm; and when looseness develops from wear, the spring causes the arm to climb the flared portion 43 of the sleeve and take up the wear,

It will be apparent that the assembly for the table leg control is a unit which may be fabricated in completed form before attachment to the table, requiring a minimum of operations for this purpose. To be specific, the attaching zones are between the supports 19 and the table frame, between the arms I! and the legs I3, and between the brackets 25 and the pivot joints l8. Yet, the attachment is not connected to the table top l2 at any point, so that it is not affected by warping, sinking or other deforming tendencies thereof. The attachment is supported entirely by the rigid table frame I l' and is strongly'braced by the diagonal supports I9, so that tendencies for the band, ribbon or other operating elements to get out of line can hardly occur.. However, should any strain be imposed on the table legs and be transferred through the frame work to the band IS, the convex side bearings thereof will permit of torsional deviation of the band without binding or undue friction of the same. This feature also allows leeway for the legs in case of strain, so that they may adapt themselves to uneven floor surfaces. With. the attachment constituted as described,the material, form and attaching method of the table topare' independent of the mechanism underneath; and the table top does not receive or showlrivets, staples or other fastening elements to spoil or mar its appearance. In fact, the rigidity of the metallic frame work under the table top forms a substantial support for the same and renders it durable and resistant to pressure or sagging over a lon pe riod. Finally, the leg control assembly. is a mechanism of few parts which are simple, rugged and of a nature to operate efficiently over an indefinite period without appreciable attention or repair.

While I havedescribed. the invention along specific lines, various minor changes and refinements may be made without departing from its principle, and I' desire. to consider all such changes and refinements as coming within the scopeand s'piri't'of the appended claims.

I. claim: 7 y

1. The combination with a card table in which the opening and closing movements of one leg inducethe simultaneous-similar movements of the other legs and a horizontal band'under the table top receiving connections from the legs to rotate in either direction in response to said movements; of'means in proximity to-the inner side ofltheband to lock the same when it has been rotated by a leg opening movement.

2. The structure of claim 1, and a releasing control for said means along the inner side of the'band.

3. The structure of claim 1, and a releasing control for said means closely accessible from any side of the table.

4. The structure of claim 1, said means com- 7 prising a spring stop extended from the table frame to a point inwardly of the band, a lug carried by the band and adapted to trip said stop on the rotation of the band as mentioned, and a control in proximity to the stop and manually operable to withdraw the stop from the path of said lug and release the band for reverse rotation.

5. The combination with a card table in which the opening and closing movements of one leg induce the simultaneous similar movements of the other legs, and a horizontal band under the table top receiving connections from the legs to rotate in either direction in response to said movements; of means within the band to lock the same when it has been rotated by a leg opening movement, said means comprising a spring stop extended from the table frame to a point inwardly of the band, a lug carried by the band and adapted to trip said stop on the rotation of the band as mentioned, bearings inwardly extended from the table frame at points along the band, and a tape threaded through said bearings and secured to said stop, the tensioning of the tape in an inward direction serving to draw the stop inwardly out of the path of said lug and release the band for reverse rotation.

6. The combination with a card table in which the opening and closing movements of one leg induce the simultaneous similar movements of the other legs, and a, horizontal band under the table top receiving connections from the legs to rotate in either direction in response to said movements; of means within the band to lock the same when it has been rotated by a leg opening movement, said means comprising a spring stop extended from the table frame to a, point inwardly of the band, a lug carried by the band and adapted to trip said stop on the rotation of the band as mentioned, means inwardly of the stop and manually operable to Withdraw the stop from the path of said lug and release the band for reverse rotation, bearings inwardly extended from the table frame at points along the full course of the band, and an endless tape threaded through said bearings and secured to said stop, the tensioning of the tape in an inward direction at any point along its course serving to draw the stop inwardly out of the path of said lug and release the band for reverse rotation.

7. The combination with a card table in which the opening and closing movements of one leg induce the simultaneous similar movements of the other legs, and a horizontal band under the table top receiving connections from the legs to rotate in either direction in response to said movements; of -means within the band to lock the same when it has been rotated by a leg opening movement, said means comprising a spring stop extended from the table frame to a point inwardly of the band, a lug carried by the band and adapted to trip said stop on the rotation of the band as mentioned, means inwardly of the stop and manually operable to withdraw the stop from the path of saidlug and release the band for reverse rotation, bearings inwardly extended from the table frame at points along the full course of the band, and an endless tape threaded through said bearings and secured to said stop, the tensioning of the tape in an inward direction at any point along its course serving to draw the stop inwardly out of the path of said lug and release the band for reverse rotation, the tape extending at a-height substantially even with the band.

8. The structure of claim 1, and a releasing control for said means extending substantially continuously along the inner side of the band.

FLOYD M. OVERBEY. 

